In the last full week before Thanksgiving, students gathered in EPAC for what might have been another same-old assembly. They were soon blown away by the energetic, colorful, and entertaining Indian dance solo by Anaahita Kaashyap ’25. The intricate, rhythmic movements with flamboyant arm gestures across the stage left the audience in awe. Anaahita’s expressive hand gestures and dance movements conveyed the meaning of the song, drawing the audience into the narrative. After the assembly, students in the audience congratulated their peers who had put on a joyous performance. 

The US assembly on Nov 14 was produced by the South Asian Student Alliance, led by Meera Vadlamani ’24, Meera Desai ’25, and Anaahita. The assembly celebrated two important holidays in South Asian culture, Diwali and Navratri. Students in the SASA shared their family experiences during the holidays and showed photographs, many from when they were young children with their grandparents. Students learned about various South Asian family traditions, including food, clothing, dancing, and the history behind the holidays. 

Potomac’s new ninth-grade dean and US history teacher, Mr. Andrew McGrath, added a faculty voice when he described the pride he took in the half of his family that is Indian. Mr. McGrath said that when he was invited to participate in the presentations, “If I could go up there and show that there is someone like myself an example” that would show students that his culture is central to everything he does and he thinks about it all the time. Mr. McGrath taught us that your heritage is less related to anything external than it is to how you feel.